THE CAR IS THE STAR

Without doubt the kind of car a character drives goes a long way to defining their personality. Often the car becomes almost as big a star as the actor who drives it.

Who can forget the beautiful Ferrari 308 GTS driven by Tom Selleck in the Cult TV series Magnum P.I. The car did not belong to Magnum but owned by his mysterious benefactor, Robin Masters.

Sticking with Ferrari's two cars became particularly well known during the run of Miami Vice, the Daytona and Testarossa. During the first two seasons and first two episodes of the third season, Sonny Crocket drove a black 1972 Ferrari Daytona Spyder 365 GTS/4. In actual fact the car was not a Ferrari, but a kit replica based on a 1980 Chevrolet Corvette chassis. Ferrari sued the company making the replicas and this resulted in the car being blown to pieces in the season three premiere episode, "Irish Eyes". The fake Ferraris were removed from the show and Enzo Ferrari donated two brand new 1986 Testarossas as replacements.

Of course the biggest Car Star is KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand) an autonomic black Pontiac Trans Am. Created to help Michael Knight in his fight against crime and injustice. As well as the ability to speak Kitt had numerous clever extras incuding the ability to see, hear and smell. A turbo boost that allowed him to leap over obstacles and chase down any criminal. And for protection KITT had a flamethrower, smoke screen and oil jets, tear gas launcher, magnesium flares and much much more.

In the new Knight Rider to be aired this year, a new KITT makes his debut, (Knight Industries Three Thousand) which is based on a Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500KR. This KITT uses nano-technology, which allows the car to change form and colour and morph into other cars forms temporarily.

Of course Dr Greg House doesn't have a car, but instead rides a powerful motor cycle, which considering he walks with a stick only adds to his maverick and unconventional character.

The A Team's GMC Vandura Van , Jim Rockford's Pontiac Firebird, and Lt Columbo's battered Peugeot 403 cabriolet convertible are all stars in their own right and add to the ricness of the characters who drive them.

Join our Playback Cult TV Forum and see what other cars Cult TV fans think are the biggest stars.